The 10th meeting of the season at Marsa yesterday had two major events included in the card – the Tazza l-Kbira semi-finals on a rather long distance of 2,640m.

These races were won by Kakisis and Nabab du Chatelet. In all, 12 horses qualified for the cham-pionship final.

There was a close finish in the first semi-final when Mig of the Wood (Noel Baldacchino) and veteran Kakisis (Johan Axisa) sprinted strongly down the final straight.

At the post, it was Kakisis which claimed its first win of the year. Mig of the Wood qualified along with Poppes Fighter (Charles Camilleri), Quebec (Mark Mifsud), Count of Life (Claudio Refalo) and Nitesco d’Antony (David Ellul).

Kakisis clocked an average time of 1.16.9” per kilometre.

Simb Mark (David Ellul) started to slow down its pace with some 250m from the finishing line in the second semi-final.

This Scandinavian trotter ran out of steam and was overtaken by Nabab du Chatelet (Charles Camilleri) for its second consecutive win. Okilaibo (Julian Farrugia) was second ahead of Odedjalo (Noel Baldacchino).

Original Blue (Chris Cassar), Arnie Sensation (Carmelo Farrugia) and Nino de Saintho (James Carabott) also progressed to the final stage.

Nabab du Chatelet clocked an average time of 1.16” per kilometre in winning its race.

In yesterday’s first Gold Class race on the card, Charm Hammering (Gilbert Farrugia) surged ahead with 200m to go for this Swedish eight-year-old to chalk up its second win on the trot.

Troubadour S (Charles Farrugia) was second ahead of Rika Rico (Shawn Portelli) and Nuper (Andrew Farrugia).

French newcomer Prince de Blequin nosed ahead midway through the final straight of the other Gold race.

Driven by one of its owners, Wayne Farrugia, Prince de Blequin secured its first win in Malta ahead of Touch the Diamond (David Ellul), favourite Pepone du Castelet (Charles Camilleri) and XRay Hornline (Rodney Gatt).

The programme also included two races for Silver races.

In the first, Prince November (Marvin Cauchi) increased its speed 300m from the finish to secure its first win at Marsa.

Octobre En Fete (Clifferty Calleja) outsmarted Okir de Leau (Brian Hili) midway through the straight for home in the second Silver Class race.

Another programme at Marsa will be held on Sunday.

The first race is scheduled to start at 1.30pm.

The winners

Race 1: Copper, Loulou de la Rose (Carl Caruana) – 1.16.7”.
Race 2: Bronze, Navaroso de Khepri (Rodney Gatt) – 1.17.5”.
Race 3: Silver, Prince November (Marvin Cauchi) – 1.17.1”.
Race 4: Silver, Octobre En Fete (Clifferty Calleja) – 1.16.3”.
Race 5: Tazza l-Kbira SF, Kakisis (Johan Axisa) – 1.16.9”.
Race 6: Gold, Charm Hammering (Gilbert Farrugia) – 1.16”.
Race 7: Tazza l-Kbira SF, Nabab du Chatelet (Charles Camilleri) – 1.16”.
Race 8: Gold, Prince de Blequin (Wayne Farrugia) – 1.16.8”.

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